College - Author 1
College of Liberal Arts
Department - Author 1
Communication Studies Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BA in Communication Studies
Date
6-2026
Primary Advisor
Bethany Conway, College of Liberal Arts, Communication Studies Department
Abstract/Summary
The following study employed Social Identity and Affective Polarization theories to examine how political disagreement influences students’ willingness to engage in open dialogue within higher education during a time of polarization. This study employed a simple survey distributed to a sample of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo students from all colleges. The Qualtrics survey included multiple-choice questions assessing students’ political affiliation and examining how these affiliations influenced their willingness to engage in communication with individuals holding differing views, as well as their openness to developing deeper interpersonal relationships. The survey results were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. The results concluded that political polarization shapes communication and interpersonal relationships among Cal Poly students, with Democrats and Republicans differing significantly in political identity strength, perceptions of judgment, and willingness to engage across ideological lines. The findings of the study are relevant both at a societal and academic lens. By examining how awareness of political disagreement affects students’ willingness to communicate, the findings may contribute to scholarship in political and interpersonal communication. The results could inform educators seeking to foster constructive dialogue, civic engagement, and respectful discourse within college environments. Ultimately, the research may help identify patterns and strategies to encourage healthier communication across political differences during a critical stage of social and identity development.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/comssp/284